Preserving the biodiversity of our wildlife
Lord Howe Island is a World Heritage Area of global environmental significance and it is vital to manage its world-renowned natural values effectively. Introduced pest species can seriously affect the biodiversity of the Island by reducing the variety of species, the number of individuals within a species, and the functioning of the natural ecosystem.
Pests that have been eradicated from the Island
The Lord Howe Island Board successfully eradicated feral cats, pigs, and goats from the Island during the 1980s and 1990s.
More recently, programs to rid the Island of African Big-headed Ants, ship rats, and mice have been conducted.
Other invasive species
Several other invasive pest species occur on the Island such as Mallard x Pacific Black Duck hybrids (Anas supercilliosa x Anas platyrhynchos) and Feral Pigeons (Columba livia). Control strategies are in place for these species as they have the ability to recolonise the Island.
Other feral populations occurring on Lord Howe Island include:
- Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
- Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae)
- Blackbird (Turdus merula)
- Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
- Bleating Tree frog (Litoria dentate)
- Grass Skink (Lampropholis delicata)
- Eastern Snake-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis)